Chattahoochee Hills residents are gearing up for the run to the ballot box in June and the formation of their new city. A group of nearly 90 area residents met Oct. 3 at Rico Community Center to begin the full-fledged initiative.

The group already established committees to lay the foundation for the operation of the new city. those committees include Administration, Finance, Fundraising, Information Technology, Legal, Public Information, Public Safety and Public Works.

Present at the meeting to provide insight on the process in building a new city was Milton resident Greg Mishkin. Milton area residents voted overwhelmingly in June to accept the charter of their new city.

“The biggest thing is to gain public confidence and to make sure you’re able to communicate the advantages of having a city instead of remaining unincorparated,” Mishkin said, using his awareness of the same process undertaken recently by Milton, Johns Creek and Sandy Springs residents. “You should make the process unbiased. Be transparent and make sure everyone knows what’s going on.”

In a politically astute manner, Mishkin challenged residents to make themselves aware of the allies and the enemies of incorporation.

“Not everyone supports you in and the new city,” he said.

Resident Steve Kopelman offered several pertinent thoughts for Chatt Hills residents to consider as the process to put together the city unfolds.

“We are five communities with a broad vision to preserve the rural character of the area,” he said. “We will work together for the same goal but that doesn’t mean we have to think alike. Different perspectives are good. We can disagree on methodology but we must agree on the mission. And we have to remain flexible.”

Chatt Hills will meet every third Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Rico Community Center.

The vote to accept the city’s new charter will occur in June. If accepted, the election of a mayor and city council will be held in November 2007.

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